n to leap down on this
pay streak before it sees me comin', I'm goin' to put my friends in
first and foremost, and shut out these dressmakers complete. So long!"
He thrust his arms beneath the legs of a new pair of blue overalls that
formed his pack-straps, wriggled the burden comfortably into place
between his shoulders, and slouched out past Doret, to whom he nodded,
ignoring the "dressmaker."

Having given Necia's message to Poleon, the Lieutenant took up his
business with the trader. It concerned the purchase of certain supplies
that had been omitted from the military outfit, and when this was
concluded he referred to the encounter of that morning.

"I don't want you to think I bungle everything in that manner," he
said, "for I don't. I want to work with you, and I want to be friends
with you."

"I'm willing," said Gale.

"Nobody dislikes playing policeman more than I do, but it's a part of
my duty, and I'll have to do it," continued the young man.

"I reckon you simply aim to keep peace, eh? You ain't lookin' for
nobody in particular?"

"Of course not--outside of certain notorious criminals who have escaped
justice and worked north."

"Then there is a few that you want, eh?"

"Yes, certain old-timers. The officers at every post have descriptions
of a few such, and if they show up we will take them in and hold them
till courts are established."

"If you've got their names and descriptions, mebbe I could help you,"
said the trader, carelessly.

"Thank you, I'll bring up the list and we'll go over it together. You
must have been here a good while."

"About ten years."

"Then Miss Necia was born out in the States?"

Gale shot a startled glance at the soldier before he answered in the
affirmative, but Burrell was studying a pattern of sunlight on the
floor and did not observe him. A moment later he inquired, hesitatingly:

"Is this your first marriage, Mr. Gale?" When the other did not answer,
he looked up and quickly added:

"I beg your pardon, sir. What led me to ask was Miss Necia--she is
so--well--she is such a remarkable girl."

Gale's face had undergone a change, but he answered, quietly:

"I 'ain't never been married."

"What?"

"When I took Alluna it wasn't the style, and neither one of us has
thought much about it since."

"Oh, I see," exclaimed Burrell, hurriedly. "I'll bring that list with
me the first time I think about it," and, nodding amiably, he sauntered
out. But his mind was